Method and apparatus for reducing latency in multi-media system

摘要

A sink apparatus for receiving and playing back multimedia data receives data frames and discards data frames from its processing pipeline in order to reduce latency if it is determined that an amount of media data buffered in one or more portions of the processing pipeline during a fixed playback time period is above a threshold value. The threshold value and therefore the extent to which data frames are discarded can be varied in order to balance latency and quality of the displayed multimedia data.

主权项

1. A method for adjusting latency in a sink apparatus, wherein the sink apparatus receives media data from a source apparatus for playing back on a display and includes a processing pipeline, the method comprising:
monitoring an amount of media data buffered between two different locations in the processing pipeline by determining a difference of timestamp values, assigned to media data packets of the received media data, at the two different locations in the processing pipeline; comparing a monitored amount of media data with a predetermined threshold value; if the monitored amount of media data exceeds the predetermined threshold value, discarding media data from the processing pipeline until the monitored amount falls below the predetermined threshold value; comparing monitored amounts of buffered media data in the processing pipeline over a playback time period; determining a smallest value for an amount of the buffered media data that is smaller than other monitored amounts of buffered media data in the processing pipeline over the playback time period; comparing the determined smallest value with the predetermined threshold value; and if the determined smallest value exceeds the predetermined threshold value, discarding media data from the processing pipeline until the determined smallest value falls below the predetermined threshold.